Driving to Italy - what do you need?
Discussion
We'll be driving down via Germany and back via France. I did similar 10 years ago, but it seems to be a bit more complicated these days:
I've ordered Bip&Go which covers France + Italy - can't be bothered with manual tolls this time
I've got the digital motorway pass for Switzerland
I've order Critair sticker for France because we are going to Nice on the way back - seems that driving into Italian cities (e.g. Florence) won't be possible although park and ride will work.
I know about warning triangles / high vis jackets / V5 etc - it's really just to check that I've not forgotten anything that I need to actually drive on the roads there.
I've ordered Bip&Go which covers France + Italy - can't be bothered with manual tolls this time
I've got the digital motorway pass for Switzerland
I've order Critair sticker for France because we are going to Nice on the way back - seems that driving into Italian cities (e.g. Florence) won't be possible although park and ride will work.
I know about warning triangles / high vis jackets / V5 etc - it's really just to check that I've not forgotten anything that I need to actually drive on the roads there.
WH16 said:
There's nothing complicated about it.
The only thing I'd add is a hardcopy of your insurance cover note to go with your V5, and depending on what you drive perhaps European breakdown cover.
Yes, I will be using breakdown cover that includes return to home.The only thing I'd add is a hardcopy of your insurance cover note to go with your V5, and depending on what you drive perhaps European breakdown cover.
My comment didn't really mean "it's complicated". But 10 years ago, I could drive into French cities without a windscreen sticker - and I could drive into Italian Cities too.
Things have changed, and I'm simply checking I haven't forgotten anything before we get there.
Edited by davek_964 on Thursday 7th May 12:14
chip* said:
Just a minor thing I do, but in case I lose my car keys, I always ensure I have a spare set to fall back on!
And if the spare key is a "keyless" and left in the car/boot make sure it's in a faraday pouch otherwise the car won't lock with the key your holding. OP: UK sticker/magnet for car.
SoliD said:
Re gettng into Florence, what is the reason you believe you can't drive in? I went in October and got close enough to be able to park and walk in, same with Pisa and Lucca.
I looked it up, and it seemed to suggest that I was not allowed to drive into Florence center. If my hotel was within that zone (it won't be) I should notify them in advance and they could register my car with the authorities so that I didn't get fines.If you can get close enough to walk in, then it's not a big deal.
If you have the old pre-photocard paper licence I think you need an IDP as well as your licence.
Some Italian cities also have emission zone rules and require you to register so worth checking
Not car related, but it seems there are still some people unaware of the UK passport >10 year expiry date thing so check it was issued less than 9.5 years ago.
Take photocopies of your V7 and insurance certificate. I like to have electronic copies available too.
Some Italian cities also have emission zone rules and require you to register so worth checking
Not car related, but it seems there are still some people unaware of the UK passport >10 year expiry date thing so check it was issued less than 9.5 years ago.
Take photocopies of your V7 and insurance certificate. I like to have electronic copies available too.
SoliD said:
Re gettng into Florence, what is the reason you believe you can't drive in? I went in October and got close enough to be able to park and walk in, same with Pisa and Lucca.
How big's your car? I had a rental Panda in Florence and I don't think I'd want anything much bigger on some of those roads Collectingbrass said:
You might want to look at downloading media of choice before you go rather than streaming all that data for the duration?
Spare wheel, jack and brace rather than relying on a can of goo?
Thanks - but I have 30GB of data in Europe so that's not a worry. Spare wheel, jack and brace rather than relying on a can of goo?
If I put a spare wheel in the car, I wouldn't have space for any luggage
However - that is a good point. I've been meaning to order one of those roadside puncture repair kits for ages and never got around to it - I will now.
davek_964 said:
SoliD said:
Re gettng into Florence, what is the reason you believe you can't drive in? I went in October and got close enough to be able to park and walk in, same with Pisa and Lucca.
I looked it up, and it seemed to suggest that I was not allowed to drive into Florence center. If my hotel was within that zone (it won't be) I should notify them in advance and they could register my car with the authorities so that I didn't get fines.If you can get close enough to walk in, then it's not a big deal.
RizzoTheRat said:
How big's your car? I had a rental Panda in Florence and I don't think I'd want anything much bigger on some of those roads
Alfa Stelvio.you're right, wouldn't want to go into the centre with anything! davek_964 said:
I looked it up, and it seemed to suggest that I was not allowed to drive into Florence center. If my hotel was within that zone (it won't be) I should notify them in advance and they could register my car with the authorities so that I didn't get fines.
If you can get close enough to walk in, then it's not a big deal.
ah right ok, we were only going in for the day so no luggage, parked up by Michaelangelos David and walked down from there. Italy is still a very car centric place, so you can usually get fairly close to most places before you're not allowed to take the car.If you can get close enough to walk in, then it's not a big deal.
SoliD said:
ah right ok, we were only going in for the day so no luggage, parked up by Michaelangelos David and walked down from there. Italy is still a very car centric place, so you can usually get fairly close to most places before you're not allowed to take the car.
It will only be a day trip for us too - we're actually staying a few hours away from Florence. If possible, we'll simply use public transport but the car is a fallback if that's not practical.davek_964 said:
It will only be a day trip for us too - we're actually staying a few hours away from Florence. If possible, we'll simply use public transport but the car is a fallback if that's not practical.
When we went to Florence last year, we parked at Parcheggio Villa Costanza. It has it's own junction on the A1, so you come off the slip road, through the toll booth and straight into the car park. Then jump on the direct tram into the city centre (about 20 minutes). 7 euro to park for a full day. I forgot the cost of a tram ticket.Collectingbrass said:
You might want to look at downloading media of choice before you go rather than streaming all that data for the duration?
................
Absolutely this - downloading offline Google Maps for main area(s), and adding pins for your main locations (hotels, parking etc.) is great to save data, but also good as in smaller towns / countryside, the internet reception can be patchy.................
I'd echo above advice about getting into towns. From many previous trips to Italy (and usually having a hire car) I'd go in order of preference:
1. Train into a city centre (park at a nearby town's station for the day). Good for Florence, Lucca, Siena
2. Planned navigating to an out of town car park / park and ride. Good for San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza
Distant third - driving close to the city centre and trying to find parking while avoiding the ZTL
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